You're reading: Stoltenberg stresses clear disagreements over Ukraine between Russia and NATO

NATO and Russia continue to have clear disagreements on the crisis in and around Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on March 30.

“Allies and Russia continue to have clear disagreements on the crisis in and around Ukraine. This was the first topic we addressed and the security situation remains of deep concern,” he said at a press conference after a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels on March 30.

In his words, ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine have reached record levels, intense fighting continues and heavy weapons have not been withdrawn.

“Earlier this week, the OSCE reported that prohibited weapons were being used ‘almost twice per minute’ and OSCE monitors are not being allowed to do their job. They face restrictions on where they can go, and sometimes they even become targets themselves,” the secretary general said.

He recalled, the Minsk Agreements provide a plan for the settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine but most of their provisions are not being implemented.

“We call on all signatories to fully comply with their commitments. Today, Allies urged Russia to use its significant influence on the militants to meet their obligations in full. And raised serious concerns about Russia’s recognition of identity documents issued by the separatists, imposing the ruble, and seizure of companies,” he said.

According to Stoltenberg, all Allies reiterated their strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “We do not, and will not, recognize Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea,” he said.